Best Autohelm for a small 23 foot motorsailer

[Cornish Bluenose]

I own a Cox Master Mariner with a very ancient autohelm that has finally packed up.
I need to replace this with a second-hand unit if possible, and could either fit this to the tiller or wheel.
I sail single handed so this is an essential piece of kit but funds are limited.
Any advice and suggestions welcome.
Paul

 

[dylanwinter]

Raymarine 1000

I own a Cox Master Mariner with a very ancient autohelm that has finally packed up.
I need to replace this with a second-hand unit if possible, and could either fit this to the tiller or wheel.
I sail single handed so this is an essential piece of kit but funds are limited.
Any advice and suggestions welcome.
Paul

used the same one for the past seven years

for a while it started graunching

videoed the symptoms, emailed raymarine, I sent it to them, it came back and has carried on

v pleased to see that harmony has one too

never leave home without one

mine is wired into the 12 volt socket on the panel

fewer holes in the boat -never use it unless the conditions are benign

D

 

[Seajet]

I used an Autohelm 1000 for years on my well balanced 22' sailing boat, but a while ago in a rare moment of having spare money I upgraded to a 2000; it's definitely better, and will handle the boat in significant quartering seas the 1000 wouldn't have coped with.

If poss go for a 2000, if funds won't stretch the 1000 is perfectly adequate.

 

[VicS]

I own a Cox Master Mariner with a very ancient autohelm that has finally packed up.
I need to replace this with a second-hand unit if possible, and could either fit this to the tiller or wheel.
I sail single handed so this is an essential piece of kit but funds are limited.
Any advice and suggestions welcome.
Paul

I am sure the Raymarine ST 1000 will be quite adequate

But check the specs of ST1000 and ST2000 on the website. http://www.raymarine.co.uk/view/?id=346

Also consider the equivalent Navico /Simrad TP10 and TP22 tiller pilots. http://www.simrad-yachting.com/en-GB/Products/Tillerpilots/

FWIW I am still using one of the original Nautech Autohelms. Would not be without it although I would have liked to have upgraded it to a modern digital version.

 

[onesea]

A telling point on these units is second hand they are not cheap, I was looking for one for a whilst second hand. In the end I bought a new one on the basis that I could sell it at 3/4 of the price of a new one if it was not man enough.

As it is my ST2000 is sufficient on a 35 footer, quartering seas it struggles but my reading is its the compass that is slow. The unit is powerful enough.

 

[VicS]

A telling point on these units is second hand they are not cheap, I was looking for one for a whilst second hand. In the end I bought a new one on the basis that I could sell it at 3/4 of the price of a new one if it was not man enough.

As it is my ST2000 is sufficient on a 35 footer, quartering seas it struggles but my reading is its the compass that is slow. The unit is powerful enough.

IIRC if you delve a little deeper than the basic specs you will find that the ST 2000 should be considerably faster than the ST 1000 . Not to do with the compass AFAIK rather more to do with the power of the drive and gearing I suspect.
The greater speed might be a reason to choose the more expensive ST 2000. I assume the same applies to the Simrad tiller pilots.

 

[onesea]

IIRC if you delve a little deeper than the basic specs you will find that the ST 2000 should be considerably faster than the ST 1000 . Not to do with the compass AFAIK rather more to do with the power of the drive and gearing I suspect.
The greater speed might be a reason to choose the more expensive ST 2000. I assume the same applies to the Simrad tiller pilots.

I agree it also has more push. The observation I have is even motoring my ST2000 keeps a better course when on course to wind than compass...